Two Republicans seek one nomination in Conemaugh Township

CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP — The May primary will feature two Democrats and two Republicans squaring off against each other for a single township supervisor seat.

At stake is a chance to join a board of supervisors that has faced challenges in the last several years that include three lawsuits, the resignations of chairman Calvin Gindlesperger and Police Chief Howard Jackson, a tax raise and the revelation of gross mismanagement of the sewer authority.

“Conemaugh Township is really a fabulous community,” he said. Refining the image and spreading the word about what the people and community have to offer new residents and businesses is one of his goals.

He also spoke of fiscal responsibility and achieving that by using his project management experience and understanding of budgetary impacts both short and long term.

Separating the supervisors from oversight of the sewage department and leaving it to the municipal authority to run is an important step in creating a new focus for supervisors.

“It would eliminate any perception that funding may be improperly used,” he said. “It’s best handled by an independent group.”

For Roberts, regionalization is a fact of life if the township is looking to maintain or even grow their own services, like fire, police and EMS.

“I think those days are over,” he said of small communities affording those services independently. The key will be to involve as many residents and business owners as possible in the process.

“We are all stakeholders. It’s incumbent on the people in the office to reach out to the community,” he said.

Roberts is married to Sheri Roberts and has three children.

Democratic candidates are business owner Joyce Graham, 50, of Lost Valley Drive and incumbent Albert Zuccolotto, 68, of Wilshire Boulevard.